More than 150,000 people have visited the National Gallery of Victoria’s (NGV) Van Gogh and the Seasons exhibition – making it the fastest selling exhibition in NGV history.
Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley was at the NGV today to meet with some of Vincent Van Gogh’s youngest fans and celebrate the visitor milestone, which comes just five weeks into the exhibition’s run.
To mark the first day of winter, kids visiting the NGV were given free entry to the exhibition, which features close to 50 Van Gogh masterpieces that explore the artist’s fascination with the changing seasons.
Van Gogh and the Seasons is part of the Andrews Labor Government’s Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series and has welcomed more than 4,500 visitors each day.
The exhibition has been a drawcard for audiences of all ages – including more than 6,000 students -- and visitors from across the globe.
With a month left in its run, visitors are encouraged to book early and to get involved in the associated programme, including the NGV Friday late night openings and the free accompanying exhibition for kids and teens Fiona Hall: Uneasy Seasons.
Van Gogh and the Seasons is the 22nd exhibition in the Winter Masterpieces series, which was established by the Victorian Government in 2004 to bring the world’s best art to Melbourne each year.
The NGV is already Australia’s most popular gallery and earlier this year was recognised as the 19th most visited gallery in the world alongside the likes of Paris’ Musee d’Orsay and New York’s Museum of Modern Art.
Once the Van Gogh exhibition closes, NGV’s next drawcard will be The House of Dior fashion exhibition, which will open in August followed by the NGV Triennial – a major free summer exhibition featuring the work of 60 contemporary artists and designers from more than 30 countries.
For more information about Van Gogh and the Seasons, or to buy tickets, visit ngv.melbourne
Quotes attributable to Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley
“It’s no surprise that this exhibition has proved a winner, but to hit this milestone so quickly is incredible.”
“The Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series aims to bring art to this city that you can’t see anywhere else. This exhibition is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see these ground-breaking works together and here in Melbourne.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren
“Van Gogh and the Seasons has been a raging success – proving yet again the power of the arts in attracting visitors to Victoria and boosting our economy."
Reviewed 19 August 2020